The dishes at Emperor's Tower were indeed the finest in the southern province.
There was a reason for the high prices; the ingredients were flown in, ensuring customers ate fresh produce. This significantly increased costs, but Emperor's Tower lacked for nothing, especially not money, so they weren't worried.
As dish after dish arrived, Ye Longlin's smile grew increasingly playful.
For the first half of the meal, no one mentioned recent events. They chatted about various topics, and Ye Longlin merely listened. However, as the second half began, the atmosphere shifted. Zhao Cheng stood up, holding his wine cup.
"Brother Ye, I apologize for Zhao Xin's actions. I've spoiled this child too much over the years, causing him to offend you. As his uncle, I bear responsibility."
Ye Longlin raised an eyebrow and looked deeply at Zhao Cheng. "Does Patriarch Zhao forget what I said?"
Zhao Cheng was immediately choked for words. Before he could speak, Ye Longlin continued, "I said to bury him alive. Did Patriarch Zhao not fulfill that, but instead sent him abroad?"
Zhao Cheng's expression gradually turned grim.
Indeed, he had sent Zhao Xin abroad. As his uncle, how could he personally kill his nephew? Even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs, and that was the last bloodline of his sister's family. He naturally had to protect him.
"Ye Longlin, it's best to leave a way out for people, so you can meet again. Do you think it's possible for me to kill my nephew just because of your word? Or are you supremely confident in your own strength?"
Zhao Cheng slammed his wine cup heavily onto the table, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized Ye Longlin.
Ye Longlin yawned. "You've finally shown your true colors. If you hadn't, I was about to leave. This is starting to get interesting. By the way, what about you two?"
Liu Zhenxing and Chen Fang's expressions also turned grim. Clearly, Ye Longlin didn't care about them at all, and even wanted to leave, which made the three of them feel deeply insulted.
They were the patriarchs of three of the ten great families. Wherever they went, they were treated with utmost respect, lest they be offended.
Now, they had invited Ye Longlin to dinner, only for him to still appear extremely displeased, which made them feel deeply humiliated!
Chen Fang slammed his hand on the table, his eyes flashing with a cold glint. "Ye Longlin, this is the southern province. This is our territory. I advise you to behave yourself, or we won't mind making you disappear from the southern province entirely!"
Chen Fang was filled with rage. His wife had died by Ye Longlin's hand. As soon as this news spread, many people were waiting to see him ridiculed. For him, this was the greatest humiliation in his life!
No matter what, Lai Meiyun was his wife, and the Madam of the Chen family. Now that she had died by Ye Longlin's hand, if he took no action, how would people in the southern province view him in the future?
Pride aside, he was also extremely angry.
Liu Zhenxing downed the wine in his cup, also staring coldly at Ye Longlin, his killing intent unconcealed.
"My son abided by the law but was killed by you on baseless charges, Ye Longlin. You have taken so many lives, do you not dream of them at night?
My son had the makings of a Martial God, yet you killed him like this. As a father, I cannot swallow this. Blood debt can only be repaid with blood. I will use your blood to pay tribute to my son!"
Three people, three gazes, six eyes, all staring intently at Ye Longlin. The killing intent was almost palpable, plunging the entire twentieth floor into an eerie silence.
"Pfft."
Ye Longlin lowered his head, lit a cigarette, and thought that things were finally starting to get interesting.
"Since I joined the army, I've killed countless people. I wouldn't dare say tens of thousands, but I've taken over a thousand lives. Do you care about a few mere ants?"
Ye Longlin's words caused the anger of the three to rise to another level.
The Madam of the Chen family, the young patriarch of the Liu family, and the direct descendant of the Zhao family.
These people were referred to as ants by Ye Longlin, or rather, they were compared to ants.
"You are courting death!"
Chen Fang was furious. His eyes suddenly emitted a red glow, and the flames of anger ignited within them.
Chen Fang, without hesitation, lunged at Ye Longlin, his fingers forming a claw. The martial energy in his hand erupted instantly, overturning the dining table.
The Chen family was also a martial arts family, and as its patriarch, Chen Fang was undoubtedly among the top tier of the family.
Of course, Chen Fang did not disappoint Ye Longlin. His strength surpassed the Martial Aspect stage but had not yet reached the next realm. Such power was certainly formidable in the southern province, but it was insufficient in Ye Longlin's eyes.
Ye Longlin remained seated throughout, not moving. Even when Chen Fang lunged, he made no move.
He simply raised his arm gently. Just as Chen Fang was about to grab his neck, he reversed his grip, caught his wrist, and forcefully pressed his hand onto the table, palm up.
With his other hand, he took the cigarette from his mouth and quickly extinguished it on Chen Fang's palm!
"Sizzle!"
The sound of scorching skin emerged. Chen Fang hadn't expected Ye Longlin to neutralize his attack so easily, and the coldness in his eyes grew even colder.
However, at this moment, the doors to the banquet hall were slowly pushed open, and a figure in uniform walked in.
Behind the uniformed figure were four people in black uniforms, their sabers at their waists, exuding a sharp aura.
The Zhenwu Division, Xie Wenzhan!
This was also one of their trump cards.
No one could escape the jurisdiction of the Zhenwu Division, especially powerful martial artists like Ye Longlin, who would undoubtedly not escape their surveillance. Therefore, before they set out, Chen Fang had contacted the Zhenwu Division.
They had been eating for so long, precisely to wait for the Zhenwu Division's arrival!
"Director Xie, this person brutally murdered several civilians, including my wife, the direct descendant of the Zhao family, and the son of the Liu family. I implore you to dispense justice and bring this person to justice!"
Chen Fang said coldly, seemingly already picturing Ye Longlin being taken away.
However, in the next second...
"Mr. Ye, why are you here? Are what they're saying true? Please don't worry, I will investigate thoroughly when I get back. If he truly deserves to die, then I won't intervene, but if he's actually a civilian..."
Xie Wenzhan scurried over to Ye Longlin and spoke to him with utmost respect. His fawning demeanor left the three stunned.
Not only the three of them, but even the other four members of the Zhenwu Division were dumbfounded.
What in the world was going on?